Posted by Lara Endreszl on 25 July 2009
We have all seen those individual massage chairs at outdoor concerts, inside shopping malls, or under kiosks at street markets advertising a two-minute massage at around two dollars; a small price to pay for instant stress relief and resulting happiness. If you could allow yourself two minutes for a quick dose of pure bliss everyday for practically nothing, what would you do? Some people might say they would take a cat nap, others may want an ice cream cone, and still more may think to make a phone call to a loved one. Various experts and professionals teamed up to make a list of little things you can do throughout the day to put a smile on your face:
Laugh: Visit a popular video site where you can watch clips from your favorite comedic television shows, celebrity-made skits, homemade videos, and amusing cartoons as a small pick-me-up. Find hilarious videos at websites like You Tube, Hulu, Funny or Die, etc. If you would rather get away from the computer, you can also go the personal route and ask a co-worker, friend, or relative to tell you their favorite joke.
Take a Trip…down memory lane. Open up a photo album (either handheld or an online photo site) and flip through pages of memories from your favorite summer vacation, holiday season, or weekend activity in order to spark that smile and release the dopamine in your brain that triggers euphoria.
Resist the Urge to Splurge on “things.” A panel of 329 people who indulge in shopping surveyed by a psychologist at Empire State College, admitted that buying items that alert their senses—like a concert, amusement park, museum, or massage—are generally happier then the shoppers who spend money frivolously on impulse items like shoes or clothes.
Open Up the curtains. Being near natural light a few times a day is necessary for the brain because vitamin D is crucial to determining your mood. Light researchers recommend eating breakfast near a window, opening the blinds in your bedroom when you wake up, or taking a stroll around the block during the day if the building you work in does not provide fresh light or air.
Go Nuts and eat a handful during the day. Store some walnuts in your purse, pocket, or briefcase in order to snack healthy on the go. If you are allergic or don’t like to munch on these little omega-3 fat boosters, try chunks of salmon on your lunch salad to ward off depression.
Stop & Smell something soothing. Calm-inducing scents de-stress a busy day and act as a diffuser to get your mind to stop buzzing. Simply opening a lavender candle on your desktop or filling a basket with orange, vanilla, or cinnamon potpourri can brighten your mood instantly when the scent wafts into your head.
Organize & De-Clutter your workspace. Sitting at piles of paperwork all day can make anyone feel weighed down. By purging your unnecessary papers into the recycle bin or confidentially into the shredder, you will feel great relief. Organizing your workspace—whether it’s your desktop or your kitchen tabletop—can make any process smoother. What may seem like a mundane task like chopping fruit, bread, or veggies for dinner can serve as a great way to cool down your brain to make room for an extra dose of happiness.
Next time you feel yourself pulling your hair out, rubbing your eyes against your palms, dragging your feet, or nervously tapping your fingers throughout the day, take a few minutes to close your eyes or look at a favorite photo. Next time you are at the mall and spot sit-down massage chairs offering quick relief, after these little tips you may not need any after all.
Resources: http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/mental-health/get-happy-two-minutes-or-less-3494.html
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